Maine, N.H. seek $25M in grants for Sarah Long Bridge replacement

KITTERY, Maine — The states of Maine and New Hampshire are expecting to apply for a federal grant of about $25 million for the replacement of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge.

Comment

By Deborah McDermott

seacoastonline.com

By Deborah McDermott

Posted Apr. 30, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By Deborah McDermott

Posted Apr. 30, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

KITTERY, Maine — The states of Maine and New Hampshire are expecting to apply for a federal grant of about $25 million for the replacement of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge.

The two states will be applying for a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recover, or TIGER, grant — the same grant they successfully received for the Memorial Bridge project.

Maine Department of Transportation spokesperson Ted Talbot said Monday the two states consider this such an important project that at this time, neither will be applying for any other transportation grant under this round of the TIGER program.

The action came just days after Maine transportation officials announced that the private/public team working on the project trimmed $12 million from the bottom line. Instead of $172 million, the project is now estimated to cost $160 million.

Talbot said both states anticipate applying for $12.5 million each toward the Long Bridge replacement. He said, however, the final number is "still fluid."

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER grant Web site, Monday was the first day applications were being accepted for the grants.

The application process will remain open until June 3.

Talbot said the states' attention will now turn to the two states' congressional delegation for help.

A total of $474 million is available from the U.S. DOT in this round of grants.

The Long Bridge, which connects Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine, along the Route 1 Bypass, has been closed for repairs since it was struck by a tanker on April 1. The state's No. 1 red-listed bridge is expected to reopen by May 25.

The project to replace the bridge is expected to begin next year and be complete by 2017.